A survey of South Dakota high school students last year revealed serious behavior risks for the students. The South Dakota Youth Risk Survey is a good indication of all states, according to Janet Ricketts, state director of coordinated school health. "This kind of mirrors what is going on across the country," she said. Among the findings were:

• 19 percent of the respondents had seriously considered suicide the previous 12 months.
• 67 percent had tried smoking in the past year.
• 81 percent of the young people reported having at least one alcoholic drink in their lifetime; a third before age 13.
• Eight percent of students said they had tried hard drugs.
• Forty percent reported having sexual intercourse at least once.
• 29 percent reported having intercourse within the previous three months.
• 87 percent said they had been taught about AIDS in school.

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